Sunday, January 3, 2021

Kickapoo announcements Jan. 4 - 8, 2021

Hello Kickapoo Families,

We hope everyone had a restful and healthy break. We are excited to welcome back our students for 2nd semester!

Check out these 21 Tips for a Positive Year from Jon Gordon.

* 2nd semester schedules can be found via eSchool Home Access. Go HERE to login Need your login? Contact our office at 523-8500.

* As a reminder we are offering FREE tutoring for all students, seated and virtual, beginning Monday, Jan. 11th. See below for the details. If you have questions please ask.

* KHS Three-Tiered Tutoring Model

We are offering the opportunity for seated AND full time virtual students to receive additional tutoring and support. Please review the details below.

In order to address the need for academic support with both our Launch and seated students, the following tutoring model will be implemented. ALL 3 options will be offered. 

Option 1:

When: M/T/Th/Fri from 10 am - 1 pm

What: A+ tutors, SPS Launch teachers assigned to KHS, Mr. Higgins, and KHS teachers available for tutoring.  

Who: Any Kickapoo student not scheduled to be in seated classes for the day of tutoring (A-K Th/Fri, L-K M/T, fully virtual any of the four days).

Where: In room 182 - check in through attendance office.

Option 2:

When: Wednesdays from 9:30 - 11:30 and 1 - 3.

What: A+ tutors, Mr. Higgins, Mrs. Prude, KHS paraprofessionals, & potentially other KHS teachers available for tutoring.

Who: Any Kickapoo student seated or virtual.

Where: Commons

Option 3:

When: M/T/Th/F from 3 - 4 pm.

What: KHS teachers available for tutoring. 

Who: Any Kickapoo student. 

Where: Library

Please let us know if you have questions.

* Remember to please complete a (click -->) daily screening each morning with your student before school each day. When in doubt please call our nurses at 523-8500. Thank you for helping keep our students and staff healthy and safe.

* Free Rapid COVID-19 testing for symptomatic students

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Springfield Public Schools will offer free rapid COVID-19 testing for symptomatic K-12 students beginning Monday, Dec. 14. The tests will be conducted using a minimally invasive anterior nasal swab, will be administered by an SPS nurse in a centralized location, and will yield results in 15 minutes. 

The testing process includes the following steps:

1. Parents/guardians should monitor their children for COVID-19 symptoms daily. Symptoms include fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; and/or diarrhea.

2. If symptoms develop while students are at home, parents/guardians should keep their child at home and they should not report to school. If symptoms develop while at school, students should go to the school nurse, where they will be isolated while parents/guardians are contacted for pick-up. In both circumstances, parents/guardians may work with their school’s nurse to schedule testing on weekdays.

3. To schedule a rapid antigen test, parents/guardians of symptomatic students should contact their school’s nurse. The school nurse will confirm the testing appointment and let parents/guardians know when and where to report. Testing hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If symptoms develop over the weekend, parents/guardians should contact their healthcare provider regarding other testing options.

4. All testing will be conducted in an isolated location within a centralized SPS facility. Only one parent/guardian should accompany their symptomatic child and should present student identification upon arrival for processing. A specific time and location, along with other pertinent details, will be provided to parents by their school’s nurse when a testing appointment is confirmed. Testing is limited to students and is not for other family members.

5. If a student tests positive, standard quarantine will begin immediately. If the test is negative, students will be given instructions regarding when to return to school.

The district’s use of Abbott’s BinaxNOW rapid antigen test kits will be instrumental in helping to quickly identify COVID-positive cases within the system, thereby helping to limit spread of the virus. Both the test kits and the personal protective equipment (PPE) used by SPS nurses to conduct the tests are provided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 

* Stay connected with Kickapoo in the following ways:

Facebook - Kickapoo High School

Twitter - @KickapooChiefs

Instagram - @KickapooHighSchool

Website - kickapoochiefs.org

You can find our Daily Announcements on our website and linked HERE. Please check these frequently as they are updated daily.

Below are a few new notes for you and then several reminders.

* Senior announcements

December Scholarship Bulletin - See the latest scholarship opportunities and deadlines. January bulletin coming soon.

December News You Can Use - Review for important dates, etc. January news coming soon.

Counseling Corner - Check this link for all things from the Counselors. 

* Grades - Go HERE to login to check your students grades in eSchool at anytime. Need your login? Contact our office at 523-8500.

* Kickapoo Chiefs masks for sale at lunch for $5

* GoCAPS - Current Sophomores & Juniors:

Are you looking for a unique learning opportunity next year?  Check out the GO CAPS program!  GO CAPS students attend a half day of learning off site and the other half day at Kickapoo.  The following strands are offered for career exploration through GO CAPS:

  • Medicine & Healthcare
  • Business & Entrepreneurship
  • IT & Software Solutions
  • Engineering & Manufacturing
  • Teacher Education

Be sure to use the following links for more information or to apply!

If you have further questions regarding the program, please reach out to:

Kim Harris

Kickapoo High School

GO CAPS Liaison

* 2021 - 2022 School Calendar approved - 

2021-2022 School Calendar: The calendar was approved by the SPS Board of Education with the first day of school to be Aug. 23, 2021 and the last day to be May 27, 2022. 

* Families AND Students - we need your feedback on Transportation Expansion for High School students & Start/End Times. This will affect Kickapoo High School. Please complete the survey. Thank you!

Key points to know:

·    The District is focused on improving student attendance, which leads to more students successfully graduating.

·    The Transportation Expansion Workgroup, comprised of parents/guardians, students, teachers, transportation team members, administration, before/after school providers, and community members is seeking your feedback regarding expanding transportation services for students.

·    Changes to school/program start and end times will be required as a result of the expansion.

·    The primary goal is to expand ridership eligibility for students in grades 9-12 and for students attending magnet programs, while limiting increased financial demand for the District. 

Response needed by 4:30 P.M., Jan. 7, 2021

Your feedback is needed on a proposed plan to expand bus eligibility for high school students and those attending magnet schools. The expansion would require SPS to add a third tier to its transportation operation schedule, resulting in changes to school start/end times for the 2021-2022 school year. 

The proposed three-tier structure must include a 60 minute gap between tiers in order for drivers to finish delivering students in one tier and begin the next tier on time. Estimated start and end times for each of the proposed options are provided below.

Option A (View schools/programs by tier):

Tier 1: Middle schools/K-8 schools and some programs - 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Tier 2: High schools, some elementary schools, and BASE - 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tier 3: Remaining elementary schools, some programs and early childhood - 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Option B (View schools/program by tier):

Tier 1: High schools, some elementary schools and BASE - 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Tier 2: Remaining elementary schools and some programs - 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tier 3: Middle schools/K-8 schools, some programs and early childhood - 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Your feedback is needed on the options. Click on the SURVEY button below before 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 7.

Please note: The information provided is considered to be true and correct as of 12-16-20. Changes in circumstances may require adjustments to be made.

* Make Plans Now for Winter Weather  Preparing now for cold weather and possible school cancellations can make the upcoming months less stressful for you and your family and help ensure a safe and healthy winter.


Here are a few tips and reminders:

Prevent exposure to the elements

·    Wear layers of clothing, such as a T-shirt under a sweatshirt. Wear a warm coat for an outer layer.

·    Prevent heat loss and protect skin by wearing a hat, scarf and gloves or mittens. Remember to wear warm socks and weather resistant shoes or boots.

·    Change clothing when it becomes wet.

·    Get plenty of rest and eat a hot meal before school.

Learn more tips about cold weather safety from the National Weather Service.

Be prepared for school cancellations

There are times when weather conditions cause us to cancel school for the safety of our 25,000 students. We understand canceling school can create difficulties for families and we do not make the decision lightly.

How is the decision made to cancel school due to bad weather?

A number of factors are considered when deciding whether to cancel school including the condition of area roads, school safety issues such as parking lots, sidewalks and roofs, bus fleet condition and weather forecast.

When and how is the decision announced?

Every effort is made to make the decision by 5 a.m. The decision is announced immediately via text message, MySPS app, social media, district website and local news media. Parents who receive our weekly e-newsletter will receive an email alert. Individuals who have signed up for Blackboard Connect will receive a telephone message around 6 a.m.  

Please do not rely solely on one method of notification. At times, in extreme weather conditions, internet access or telephone service may be disrupted preventing or delaying the use of some communication channels.

Important reminders

·    Develop a snow-day plan so you are prepared when the announcement is made. Identify possible caregivers in advance so they can help on short notice.

·    Visit sps.org/busdelays to track bus delays. If your regular bus is 30 minutes late and you do not see it listed, contact the district transportation department at 523-0500.

·    If school is in session and you choose to keep your child home, he or she will be counted absent.

·    On days school is canceled, programs held in SPS facilities such as PrimeTime and SPARC are also canceled. Contact these agencies for more information about snow day programs at other locations.

·    Updates on cancellations for school activities (ball games, practices, programs, etc.) can be found at sps.org/changes.

·    The last day of school is typically determined and announced in early spring.

View additional information about school cancellations.

* FREE BREAKFAST & LUNCH - ALL students enrolled at Kickapoo will be able to eat a school breakfast AND lunch for free! Students attending school virtually can pick up food items during designated times in the carline. Click here for more information or check out nutrition services at SPS.org.

All students will be able to eat free due to an extension of federal funding. This extension will continue through the end of the school year.

* MEALS ON VIRTUAL DAYS - SPS will make meals available for students to take home for use on days when they are learning from home or for students fully virtual. These meals must be pre-ordered. Cost of the meals are free. Click here for more information.

Students should pick these up from the cafeteria at dismissal on Tuesday or Friday.

* Yearbooks are on sale now for $50 and can be purchased HERE. 

* Wednesday Virtual Day - Each teacher has scheduled a 15 minute time during each students scheduled class time in which they will be live via Zoom. This time will be to present new material and/or review previous material. If you have any questions please contact your teacher via email or Canvas as they are working from home on Wednesday's as well.

* Thank you for your patience with us as we navigate the hybrid model of learning. Remember teachers are with students M/T & Th/Fri. If you have questions please email or send a message via Canvas. Allow them up to 24 hours to respond as most of them only have one planning period each day. Thank you.

* CANVAS HELP - Need help accessing and checking online learning with your student??? Click here for a list of resources from SPS. You can also click here for a guide for “how-to” items for parents. Please be sure to reach out with questions as we navigate online learning.

* Join Kickapoo PTSA - Click here for form.

In order to be eligible for the PTSA senior scholarship you must be a member. You can also donate to PTSA or the scholarship fund via the above link. Thank you!

Below is information to help everyone get off to a great start. Please know this is not all inclusive information.
  • Any students needing WiFi can request a Kajeet through our library.
  • Kickapoo will open our doors at 7:30 a.m. and first block begins at 7:50 a.m. every day Monday - Friday. All students must report directly to first block. 
  • Classes end at 2:50 p.m. every day except Wednesday's end at 2:20 p.m.
  • 2020 - 2021 Bell Schedule - M/T/TR/Fr schedule is the same. Wednesday we follow a slightly different schedule and classes end at 2:20. Please review the link above for the specific class times.
  • Face masks must be worn at all times and may not contain inappropriate images, messages, etc.
  • Students should take home Chromebooks every day.
  • All students should leave school/campus by 3:05 p.m. unless directly supervised by a teacher, coach, or sponsor.
  • Attendance to athletic contests and school sponsored clubs will be limited to ensure capacity guidelines.
  • Deliveries to school - Parents/guardians may deliver food and other items to school. We ask that you label and leave them on the table. Due to limited travel students may not be able to come immediately to pick them up. Please communicate with your student to let them know items have been dropped off for them. 
  • NO food deliveries from outside vendors. Thank you for helping to limit the exposures our secretaries and staff encounter.
  • Visitors and Volunteers are limited to only those providing educational supports.
  • Back to SPS Return to Learning plan
Again, the items I have listed above are NOT all inclusive.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I will respond as soon as possible.

Thank you again for your patience, grace, and flexibility during this time. 
Take care and #GoChiefs!

Dr. Powers
Principal
Kickapoo High School
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